Go Forth in Boldness!

The recent medical team to Nearar with the partnership of Iglesia Canaán and Brainerd Baptist included a young man whom Pastor Victoriano has been discipling.  Upon his return home, Antonio was so burdened about the lostness of the people there that he told his wife he had to return.  The church dedicated him, collected money for his trip and for his family (wife and two small boys) who remained at home, and confirmed his call.  Kinda of sounds like the first missionaries sent out from Jerusalem, doesn't it?

Antonio left on the 10th and traveled by bus to the area and then by pickup truck up the mountain to Nearar.  He stayed with Reyes, the strong believer/leader and went out daily visiting door to door, helping Reyes and being a witness in the community.  Last  Friday as he and Reyes were visiting in a home, the man said he accepted Christ.

Our fellow missionaries, David and Regina White, live in this area and each Sunday morning have Bible study with Reyes, his family, and any other believers who will join them in his home.  As a result of the medical team and the salvation decisions that were made at that time, they also return each Sunday afternoon to led a Bible Study in another family's home.  This past week, Regina and the two boys remained at home for the morning study.  As David was teaching, Reyes received a phone call, interrupted David with the message that someone had been killed, and as a community leader, he had to go to the site.  David completed the lesson with the others and then returned to his car.  The man had been murdered right behind David's car.  It was the man to whom Reyes and Antonio had witnessed on Friday and who prayed to receive Christ. 

We are glad that Regina and the boys had remained home that morning and were not subject to the scenes and activity.  We are very saddened by this latest death in Nearar.  There is definitely a spirit of evil that rests heavy among the people.  They have little value for life; when there is a dispute, the chief method of resolution is murder.  It is really sad, but the reality.  We pray that the man had indeed accepted Christ.  He left behind a wife and several small children.  Please pray for them.  David and Regina and planning to visit the wife and children sometime in the coming days.  Pray that God would give them just the right words to encourage them and that would lead them to Christ.

Pray for the spirit of the evil one to be bound.

Pray for hearts to be open to the Gospel of Jesus.

Pray for salvation to come to that area, that many would come to know the Prince of Peace.

Pray for the believers to walk under the covering of God's protection being bold in their witness.

David and Regina were able to return to Nearar that afternoon for the Bible study in the other home.  Although the men were out looking for work, the women and children were ready to listen.

 

Pray that they hear and grow in their understanding of the Word of God

which is able to change their lives.

Pray for the Spirit of God to reign in their hearts, minds, and lives!

Ride alongside us for awhile...

Just had to post a video so you can enjoy the ride alongside us.  Remember that Patsy had prayed for an adventure, well, she certainly got one as we rode some of our more "interesting" roads in the Chorti area.

She said that she knows better how to pray for us now.

So instead of praying for us once a day, she's moved it up to at least twice a day.

When we ask for your prayer covering for us as we travel, we are comforted knowing that you are holding us up to the Father for His protection over our car and us.  Indeed we would not know how to tell anyone to reach us if they have not traveled in this area but He surrounds us with His angels giving us peace as we travel by faith in His covering.



Remember to call our names to Him...we depend upon it!

The Countdown is Getting Closer...everyday!

In the spirit of Vacation Bible Schools happening throughout the states at this time, and in honor of our quickly approaching arrival for 6 months stateside assignment, our daughter Rebecca reminded us of this often sung VBS song from Child Evangelism Fellowship:

Somewhere in outer space
God has prepared a place
For those who trust him and obey

Jesus will come again
Although we don't know when
The countdown's gettin closer everyday 

Ten and Nine

Eight and Seven
Six and Five and Four
  Call upon the Savior while you may

Three and Two
Comin' through the clouds in bright array
The countdown's getting lower everyday 

How's your eternal countdown?  Are you ready?

1.  God loves you and desires to give your life and peace.

Life - John 10:10

Peace - Romans 5:1

2.  Man is sinful and your sin separates you from God. 

All man is sinful - Romans 3:23

Sin separates from God - Romans 6:23

 3.  Although you may tried many ways to win God's favor, He has already provided the method for you to enter into this relationship with Him - Jesus Christ, God's own son, His only provision for your sin.

Jesus died in your place - Romans 5:8

Jesus rose from the dead - I Corinthians 15:3-6

Jesus is the ONLY way to God - John 14:6

 4.  You must individually receive Jesus Christ by faith as your Savior and make Him the Lord of your life.

Ephesians 2:8,9 

Romans 10:9,10

 5.  Then you will begin this personal relationship with God and will be ready for the eternal countdown.

I John 5:11-13

 

Who's in Control?

May 22, from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young
When things don't go as you would like, accept the situation immediately.  If you indulge in feelings of regret, they can easily spill over the line into resentment.  Remember that I am soverign over your circumstances, and humble yourself under My mighty hand.  Rejoice in what I am doing in your life, even though it is beyond your understanding.
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  In Me you have everything you need, both for this life and for the life yet to come.  Don't let the impact of the world shatter your thinking or draw you away from focusing on Me.  The ultimate challenge is to keep fixing your eyes on Me, no matter what is going on around you.  When I am central in your thinking, you are able to view circumstances from My perspective.

I looked back through the devotions for the past week and found these tidbits of truth to solidify this truth in my mind and heart:

As you sit quietly in My Presence, remember that I am a God of abundance.
It is impossible for you to comprehend the lavishness of My provisions: the fullness of My glorious riches.
Trust Me enough to let Me guide you through this day, accomplishing My purposes in My timing.

I am sovereign over every aspect of your life!
I want you to know how safe and secure you are in My presence.  That is a fact, totally independent of  your feelings.

It is through awareness of My Presence that Peace displaces negative feelings.
Come close to Me and let My Light envelop you, driving out darkness and permeating you with Peace.

What more could you need?

These truths made my heart sing.  They were confirmations of His Presence this week.  As many of you know, while we were accompanying a mission group from our church in Chimaltenango, La Iglesia Bautista Canaan, in the construction of a church building in caserio, La Cumbre, in the aldea Nearer, our home was robbed. 
We had left early Tuesday morning on our journey, arriving early in afternoon and began the work of clearing and preparing the construction site.  Working later into Tuesday night, all day and into the night again on Wednesday, the team completed the structure early Thursday afternoon.  While taking a much needed break (and very MUCH needed baths) at nearby hot water pools, we received the news. There was the immediate confidence that God is in Control, all we have belongs to Him, and it was really His stuff they took.  Really, what can you do when you are 7 hours away from home and not able to leave to return home until the next day anyway?  Rest in Him and wait on Him.  Sure there were the thoughts of wondering what they had taken but there was/is the underlying confidence of God's Peace.

The next day, after returning the part of the team who had ridden with us and supplies, we returned home.  Evidently, these guys had "cased" the street throughout the week, walking along ringing doorbells, accessing who was home and who was not.  Our neighbors were gone about an hour that afternoon and returned to find our gate door open and our car not parked inside. Knowing we weren't expected home until later, they knew what had happened.  They accessed the damage and responded quickly to inform our mission office for our notification,  called our mutual landlord to have the locks changed, contacted the local police (who did show up about 5 hours later), and even slept in their downstairs living room that night to be closer to hear and respond should the robbers return.  But even sweeter was the fact they cleaned up the mess and put things back in drawers and shelves so we didn't have to return to total chaos.  And to top it off, they brought lunch for us, then graciously left for us to access the damage and rest while they prayed for us. 

Yes, they took things that inconvience our lives - a computer, a hair dryer, a camera. They took things that hold some memories - jewelry.  They took things that provde for our health - 6 months supply of medicine we had purchased for our time in the states. But we also found they took some things that can change their lives eternally - two of David's Bibles - one Spanish, one in English.  After the initial "Ah man, not my study Bible," we almost laughed as we recalled one of our nieces's comments on facebook: "to the people who broke into my aunt and uncle's house in Guatemala...shame on you...here they are bringing the love of Jesus down to you...I hope you stole a Bible and God works in your heart. Trying to remember now that my sin is no different and God's grace is the same for me...praising the Lord for their safety and that material possessions can be replaced." 

In both major robberies, our Bibles have been stolen.  It is an unusual method of getting the Gospel out to the world around us, but our prayer is that God will complete His promise that His Word will NOT return void but will accomplish that to which He has sent it.  Can He use His Word even if it was stolen?  Absolutely, it has the power to bring conviction of sin and understanding of forgiveness of sins through His son, Jesus Christ.  We pray that one day around the throne in heaven, we will meet these thieves and/or whoever received the Word and praise God together that He has redeemed sinful man.

Who is really in control?  Christ alone in whom is our Security and Hope for tomorrow.

He is Risen!! He is Risen Indeed!!

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Submission

Recently, when confronted with two options for us when we return to the field in January 2012, we struggled with the choice to make.


Our hearts were first stirred for Guatemala in the eighties, and we have prayed for, visited, brought others to share the work and vision, have taught/preached missions, and rejoiced as we saw others develop a heart for and ministry in missions around the world.

“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and be courageous.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for

the Lord your God will be with you, wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

When the door opened for us to continue our ministry in foreign missions, it was an extra blessing that it was in Guatemala. We delighted in doing the work of researching the indigenous of Guatemala, riding the back roads, the high cliff sides, the dry winding trails, the slippery muddy ruts looking for those areas of lostness with little or no Gospel witness. It seemed only natural that upon completion of that work here in Guatemala that we would move to southern Mexico to continue research.

Lord, send me, O send me forth, I pray;

The need is great, Thy call I will obey;

Thy love compels me I must go

I’m willing, ready, longing to go.

We were totally unprepared for the entrance of another possibility of ministry. The opportunity to remain in Guatemala and work as Catalytic Connectors, connecting US and Guatemalan churches for the purpose of long term partnerships to plant and develop doctrinally sound reproducing churches was a surprise and a bit of an inconvenience. Now we had to seek God’s direction, not just take the next step.

Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to be,

For who am I that I should choose my way?

The Lord shall choose for me, ‘tis better far I know;

So let Him bid me go, or stay.

This new opportunity would be a step out, a challenge for us.  The move to Mexico, though leaving the familiar territory to move to the unfamiliar, the job itself was the same confidently familiar research.  With over 140 indigenous groups without reliable research, the need is great!  Our neighbor’s question, “Is God finished with you in Guatemala?” caused us to pause and reflect.  Who will reach these areas we researched where little or no vibrant Gospel witness grows?  With the Baptist mission force redirecting personnel to darker areas of the world with less than 2% evangelical witness, who will partner with Guatemalan believers to continue the task?  In many areas, doctrine has become a mixture of everything so that Truth becomes unrecognizable.  Guatemalans need to be challenged to be doctrinally sound, to reach their own people, to reproduce strong churches that continue to preach the Gospel of Salvation around the world.  The need is great!  It involves so much more than we have done before.  It is a massive undertaking of researching, training, teaching, developing, praying, growing, going…oh, Lord it is too much!

“But now be strong…declares the Lord.

Be strong…. Be strong…declares the Lord, and work.

For I am with you, declares the Lord Almighty.

This is what I covenanted with you when you came out…

And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” Haggai 2:4, 5

Many have covered us in prayer, asking God to give neon lights to light the way. God continues to work and bring release and peace. We will return to Guatemala after our stateside assignment to continue the work for which He brought us.

No sweeter joy could my heart know

Than this that He’s called me

To spread abroad His wondrous grace

That makes blind hearts to see.

Songs include:  Lord, Send Me by Wilda Savage and Submission by unknown



And a week later...

It is so good to walk in the peace of God day by day.

Last week after carrying official papers to police stations, enjoying the company of special friends, we headed to a new area for research. We had ridden through the area as we returned from Belize and were anxious to return. God went before us and led the way.

Saturday we spent several hours traveling with the Baptist pastor from Chiquimula to the surrounding municipios and several aldeas. We noticed the evangelical Amigos (Friends or Quakers) church in Camotán and planned to return for worship on Sunday. What a joy to worship with them on Sunday and visit with the new pastor. One of the leaders in the church invited us home with his family for cafecita, which in reality was a delicious lunch, with a couple of hours of very insightful information of both the surrounding aldeas and the Ch´ortí, giving us a great headstart on further travel to the area.
Then Sunday night we worshipped with the Baptist church in Chiquimula and again gave greetings...sweet, sweet fellowship. We are looking forward to returning to the area to continue our research and foundational work for the spread of the Gospel to the Ch´ortí.

Earlier in the week a missionary coworker had told us that our experience would connect us with the Guatemaltecos. We have definitely found that to true. God is using our experience to bond us together in a unique way...new opportunities. Isn't God good to use what we would consider bad to bring glory to His name? Looking forward to the future!

Peace at ALL times and in EVERY way...

We want to thank you for your prayers for us. Be assured that our God hears and answers your prayers on our behalf. We experienced such an answer on Monday, January 4.

We left Guatemala City in the early afternoon to return home on our usual route with six lanes of busy traffic after having been on the road for a week. After traveling about two miles in the city, a car pulled beside us having three men with guns who demanded that we pull over. The car pulled in front of us, stopping us. One man with a pistol entered the passenger side beside Glynis and another into the driver side, pushing me into the back seat. They drove us away, demanding that we keep our eyes closed. We were driven for 10-15 minutes into an obscure area of the capital where they demanded that we get out of our truck and get into their car. After getting into their car, we were driven for several more minutes with pistols to our sides and our heads down until we came to an obscure alley where they told us to “Get out and go home!” We exited the car, and they drove away.

You can imagine that we prayed continually the whole time. One time, one of the robbers told Glynis “silencio” because she was praying. We were amazed at the peace the Lord gave us during the whole time. The Lord reminded us that what we have taught and preached for some many years is real. We found it to be so. We are thankful for a peace that we cannot explain that has continued.

We believe that in answer to your prayers, we were never harmed physically. They even gave us back our passports which were in Glynis’ purse, and they returned our credit cards to us. We did lose our truck, with all our personal effects inside- including a week’s worth of clothes, new mini-computer, GPS, etc. The IMB has excellent insurance coverage so we will be able to file a claim for most of our loss. Regretfully, we had just picked up our mail, which included some wonderful Christmas packages from family.

Today, we are regrouping and getting back to the task of bringing the Gospel to Guatemala. Robbers may take our possessions, but they cannot touch our purpose for being here and our determination to fulfill God’s call on our lives. Please continue to pray for us.

We will continue to be faithful to the task with a trust that is stronger than fear for He ALONE is our PEACE.